Why a Trans Woman Centers Her Faith in Christ - Nat Drew

Natalie Drew joins the Christianity Without Compromise podcast (formerly Smashing Idols) with host Jake Doberenz to talk about navigating faith as a Christian trans woman, military veteran, and committed pacifist. Natalie critiques the idolization of identity—especially within LGBTQ and activist spaces—and reflects on how re-centering her life on Christ transformed her theology, mental health, and sense of community. She shares how confronting personal certainty led her out of progressive fundamentalism and into a posture of grace, curiosity, and reconciliation. Natalie also recounts her path from evangelical militancy to Christ-rooted nonviolence, and explores the impact of transitioning later in life on her faith and family. This episode addresses important questions like: Can a transgender person follow a traditional Christian faith? and What does it look like to abandon identity politics for an identity in Christ?Key takeaways from this episode:Certainty can become a silo: Natalie explains how both conservative and progressive ideologies can become echo chambers, and how genuine spiritual growth often begins with the humility to say, “I could be wrong.”Faith over identity: Natalie challenges the cultural fixation on gender identity, arguing that any identity—even being trans—can become an idol when it overshadows identity in Christ.From soldier to pacifist: After experiencing violence in combat and growing up in a violent home, Natalie embraced nonviolence as a holistic spiritual discipline—one that includes how we treat others and ourselves.Important LinksNatalie on X/Twitter (@NatGrace79)RAW Tools - www.rawtools.org“All Christians Should Celebrate the SCOTUS Ruling on LGBTQ+ Discrimination”- Red Letter ChristiansNatalie Drew is a follower of Jesus, a wife and mother, and an advocate for radical grace and nonviolence. A Christian, trans woman, veteran, and pacifist, she is known for her influential voice on Twitter, where she shares insights on faith, peace, and justice. As board member with RAW Tools, an organization promoting nonviolence and turning guns into garden tools, Natalie is passionate about peacemaking. She works in HR in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Follow this show and Jake Doberenz’s writings at jakedoberenz.substack.com.Get full access to Smashing Idols: Stories & Reflections on Following Jesus at jakedoberenz.substack.com/subscribe